TERESA COLLINS

Summer Fun

We had a blast today. I took many photos but have not had a chance to post them. Thanks Barb Stewart for your comment about my girls. They are highly requested babysitters. How did she know???

I had many girls ask about the large hanging beads that I used on my book at Windy City Scrapbooking. It took me a while to find my source- but here it is-

http://www.craftsetc.com/store/search.aspx?searchTerm=acrylic+bead.  I used the clear ones that are two to a package for $1.10. They are large and I hang them from Tim Holtz Metal Jumprings. i hope this helps!!!!

My family is all in bed and I'm not sleepy at all. Zach has his friend over to spend the night. They both fell asleep at the same time watching a funny hunting show. Tomorrow we are headed to the Salt Lake Hogle Zoo with my boys and my friend Marilyn's family. It has been quite some time since we have visited the Zoo. I'm really looking forward to this time with my boys and friends.

I wanted to rewind. The night before I went to CHA S, I went to the American Idol Live concert. It lasted a long time- over 3 hours. David Archuleta has really improved in his stage appearance. I always thought he was wonderful, but he was "in his element." It was so loud (fan's cheering) when he was on stage. David A. and David C. were both amazing. You could tell they are GREAT friends. I really enjoyed Kristy Cook- which I really hadn't during the show. She looked like a super star. I loved Michael Johns. Wow- he is entertaining and his Australian accent was adorable. He was quite funny and knew how to get the audience excited. It was a great night- I don't know if I mentioned that after I purchased the tickets, Daniel (david's little brother) texted McKay to tell her that she should have told him we were going- he had front row/back stage passes that he would have given us. Anyway, McKay never mentioned it to Daniel because she wants him to KNOW she likes HIM for HIM and not because his brother happens to be FAMOUS now. So the concert was wonderful, and my girls kept laughing at all the girls who had David's face on their shirts and pants. They said it was "just weird" to them. David is just David to them. It looks like they are NOT moving for the time being.

CHA- I am waiting for my disc of images from the show to be mailed to me. My trip was FANTASTIC. Taylor and I arrived and met up with Jamie. We then went to the show and worked on last  minute product samples. I LOVE working with Product Performers who distributes my lines. I was able to go to the companies headquarters and SEE all my TC products filling lots of space at their warehouse for the first time. I felt right at home. Later that day, we had the wonderful Susan Dallas pick us up from CHA and take us to Windy City Scrapbooking. Okay, this store is AMAZING. I have not shopped for a LONG time- and I found so many great goodies to purchase. Taylor was throwing items into my basket too- she didn't realize she had "caught" the scrapbooking "bug." I taught the class and LOVED everyone in the class. It was if I was surrounded by my old friends. I gave out "fresh off the press" papers as prizes and met my friend Lynda V. for the first time. So thankful to met, people who I've emailed with for a long time. I can't thank Windy City enough for having me. They went ABOVE and BEYOND to make my visit so spectacular. Thanks SUSAN and girls for the yummy dinner, for being so organized and for your hospitality. I was so impressed!!!!

On Thursday- we set up the booth design all day. Wow, I've been a busy girl and we had to try to get ALL my TC products displayed. It is like Christmas for me at the shows...I finally get to reveal my designs and then decorate the booth. My two favorite hobbys-design and decorate- wow, do I feel extremely lucky to do this. When I count my blessing- well, there are so many...I'm full of gratitude.

Well, after a LONG day of set up, it was time to head to WICKED.  What can I say???? I LOVED WICKED. LOVE, LOVE , LOVE....need I say more. I cried at the end- and felt so touched by the "overall" message. I had NO IDEA what the musical was about. I will not spoil it but just know, I highly recommend WICKED. Taylor, Jamie and I were so lucky to see it. Thanks to Ken- he picked us up after the show and returned us safely to their beautiful home. So go see WICKED- I knew so many of the songs because my girls have the CD.

Oh, much more to share, but I know this is enough for tonight. Oh, I will be headed to NORTHERN CALIFORNIA in ONE WEEK- I'll be at Scrapbook Island and Scrapbook Territory. I am super excited. I LOVE Diane and Laurie so much...I have lots and lots of fun things planned- so I hope to see a lot of you N. Cal girls there. (I have no idea if there is space available in my classes- I have gotten several emails- so please contact the stores directly)...

Tomorrow...I have some "personal" news to share. I've been dreading this post, but you know me- I feel it's important to be honest and real- so stay tuned...time for bed tonight.

Time for Boating....

We are headed to go boating right now. With the home remodel this is our first time this summer taking the boat out. Our kids love to RIDE THE WAVES on the tube. I am so lucky- I got to sleep in to almost 8:30 am. Ty took Zach to the orthodontist this am. He will be getting braces in ONE WEEK. He is our 5th child to have braces on. We are lucky to be friends with the Doctor. We only pay 1/2 of the what the cost would be. The cost has went up since our first daughter had her's on. Anyway, we are headed to the lake- I have books to read. Then tonight, little Ty has baseball practice. I told Ty I would take him since he got up early and took Zach. Team work- with so many kids- I could NOT do it without Ty's constant support.

So todays winners (chosen randomly) are:

Sounds like such a great summer full of memories. My summer included a move to TX heat from IA only to have my new TX house get hit by lightening and burn bad 2 weeks after we moved in. The good news... we are all safe and sound and I get to restock my scrap space. I went to Archivers in IN on a recent family visit and bought some great stuff of your. Still looking for someone locally who might carry it. As we finish our summer in a rental house that we refer to as our "vacation home" I am trying to salvage some summer fun for me and my boys. A house fire can really crimp big plans.

Posted by: Susan | July 29, 2008 at 10:57 PM

I love your blog-yes you are on my blog reader. I can identify with you. I have two boys who are very active in school and sports. How do you do it with your big family? By the way, Halloween is my favorite holiday.

Posted by: Pam | July 30, 2008 at 10:21 AM

Teresa,
I love all of your new collections. I especially love the Halloween and Christmas collection. I also like the 8X8 collections. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

Posted by: kathy hauch | July 30, 2008 at 09:16 AM

I want to share with you some layouts from 'tis the Season that Jamie Harper did. I am thankful to have Jamie helping me at the shows and now she is working with me more extensively to help educate and promote my company products. I will share more later- just know- it's an answer to my prayers to have someone to help me.  Watch for some exciting changes and additions to our education on how to use TC products on my website.

This is from my 8x8 paper. Okay, 6x6 is really cute- but you can do so much more with a little bit bigger space.

I LOVE this page. The little Christmas icons is from my 8x8 paper line and placed on a 12x12 piece of green cardstock. The circle photos are so darling!!!! Don't worry- we are working on getting the website www.teresacollinsdesigns.com full of all the CHA samples. Doesn't her page want you to pull out your circle punches???

This layout by Jamie- is so cool- it's very dimensional IRL. She used FIVE of the papers on this one layout. So cute!!!!

Oh, I'm being informed we have to head to the lake. I'll post some photos later TONIGHT.

THANK YOU for your comments!!!!!! Email winners- and congrats....

happy Tuesday-

I had a wonderful day today at home with the boys. I was able to watch them on their slip n slide and PLAY together (no fighting) for over TWO hours. I took some photos-

It's a NASCAR racing one- so fun to watch them RACE each other.

I caught them HOLDING hands in preparation of the big RACE. I got so many photos. I want to ALWAYS remember this day.

Here is  a few photos from Steamboat Springs.

This is Andrew (4 years old) and Gentry. We stayed with his family. Isn't he adorable???? He seemed to like my girls.

Here he is with McKay. CUTE!!!!

   The girls had another great time. They love to hang out with all the kids that come with the boys and their families. They were the "social directors" on our trip. Always playing games, organizing tennis games, etc. They played lots of cards, tennis matches, ate lots of ice cream cones and watched Hannah Montana in concert with the other kids.

This is Zach's baseball buddies. (caden, corby, zake, zach and toph)

Here is Zach at bat...he LOVES to play- in fact, they just got home tonight from playing baseball at the park with Ty. Always playing!!!!!

Another thing to do is trade team baseball pins. It can get crazy!!!! Ty even had to do it. We ran out of our pins FAST. We spent alot of time in the swimming pool, grilling out - eating (way to much junk food)- and went to the ALPINE SLIDE twice. Did I mention we went tubing down the river???? I made a fool out of myself. I literally fell out of the tube at least FIVE times. It was the BEST and I LOVED it. Hi Mindy!!!!! She fell out of her tube and lost her Sketchers and another friend, lost her new sunglasses. It was such a fun time anyway!!!!!- yes, I got some bruises. I also celebrated a birthday last week. Marilyn my friend decorated our condo and the kids made me a BLACK- over the hill cake!!!! I had a special day thanks to Marilyn and my sweet family.

In the end, we had the most fabulous memories- and the team Utah Storm came in 4th place (this is the team trophy) out of 39 teams. Did I mention FALL baseball starts in about a week???? My boys are going to keep me busy.

So now today...the winner from yesterday's prize is:

   Posted by: Kate Squires | July 29, 2008 at 09:17 AM

kate- please email me your information.

So today I wanted to do something fun. Since so many of you cannot go to CHA. I made three make n takes projects. VERY simple- but all you will need to do is add your own photos!!!!! I had a few papers in my folder and I decided to create a prize giveaway. I will pick three winners. I have a HALLOWEEN die cut book, a CHRISTMAS die cut book and a 3x4 Christmas book. We went through thousands??? of make n takes at the show and ran out each day. So I decided to do a little something and give it away post CHA S here on my blog.

So you have three chances to win one of my books. I used some of my new TC Stampers Anonymous stamps in the projects too! I came out with 12 new stamps at the show. You can see one of the SPOOKTACULAR cover- to the left of the velvet spider (making memories) sticker. Sorry so blurry- it's been a busy day.

Anyway, I will pick THREE winners tomorrow from the comments left.

Oh, the question I keep hearing....no, the kitchen is not done. It looks almost done though. We can cook in it, and use our refrigerator. YEAH! However, we still have all the backsplash tile, sealing the floor, fixing the cabinets (touch up and redo several areas on the cabinetry, putting in shelving, all knobs, speakers and sound system, etc. lots of little things. However, all is well. I have the attitude- it's getting closer.

Good luck and THANKS for all the kind comments. I read them ALL!!!!!

JUST got HOME

We just got home from Steamboat Springs, CO. It was a wonderful EIGHT days. We really enjoyed our BASEBALL trip and focused on our family. I was having computer issues and could not get into my blog. I finally just gave up on trying to deal with the internet and trying to get online. What a nice break!!!! I know many of you can relate to how "relaxing" it can be not to have to worry about emails, deadlines, etc. Zach's team did really well. They are 10U. We were one of 39 teams that came to compete. On the last day of competition, our Utah team was the only team from Utah still playing. We beat some TOUGH teams from Florida, Texas, and New Mexico and So. Cal...and made it to the top Four Division ONE teams. Then we played a game against the New Mexico that we had beat the day- and our team basically crumbled. You know COUNTLESS errors. It was all I could do to watch the game. We have had some little issues with our team these past few months and it's been hard for our team. We have a boy on our team who has an attitude and throws his bat, helmet, etc. when he does bad- (along with other things) and so it's started to effect some of the boys. The umpire told the boy that if he threw his bat again he would evict HIM from the game. This same boy is using some pretty "colorful" language and hits some of the boys. I had NO IDEA until this tournament- and so it breaks my heart. He was in the outfield and missed a ball and proceeded to shout the F word over and over...YIKES!!!! THANKFULLY, he doesn't mess with Zach.

So our cute team- seriously 10 year old boys are just CUTE- and I love these boys. The team is planning to go to Cooperstown in two years when they are 12 years old. We have been on this same team since Zach is 7 years old. With a lot of thought, we are thinking of not having Zach go. He will still play for the team, but we have to really evaluate if this is what we want to do. It's so hard, but when you invest so much time and money into these big tournaments, you need a team to be "the best team they can be." We have boys that don't seem to have the same "desire" to play, to improve, attitude, etc. and it's really effecting the team. Ty is an assistant coach, and he lives and eats BASEBALL. Thankfully, Zach loves it just as much. When he hits the field- he is in the zone!!! He plays with his heart and plays to win. I think the biggest compliment is the ones Zach gets from the other coaches. They will often come find him and express to him how great a batter he is- or his pitching/catching. I'm so thankful for the the other team coaches who build up not only their players but other kids- like my Zach.

So I want my son Zach to know that I'm so proud of YOU and your character on and off the ballfield. Oh, Zach was in the LONG DISTANCE contest again. (homerun). Wow, was Zach bummed. There was 78 boys who were chosed to compete and they got 5 SWINGS from the pitching machine. He hit every ball and was 2nd place until the last batter of the day hit his ball 3 feet more. Zach said he never got the SWEET SPOT and just felt a little down on his self. His buddy Bailey competed too and did amazing- and he was REALLY sick and still competed- from our team.

That reminds me- we stayed with another family during our trip to Steamboat. The Floyd family. Okay- you know kinda unsure how it would go- we had 7 of us from our family and they have 7 in their family- 14 people in our rented condo. They have all boys and two little boys. I have to say we had the BEST time. I realize I miss the crying, and little things that make 2 year old kids upset. They are the CUTEST family and I love the parents. I loved my friend Marilyn BEFORE we went, and now I consider her one of my BEST LIFE LONG FRIENDS. You don't know how much this means to me. You know we all have friends. However, how many FRIENDS do we have that you KNOW are TRUE- LOYAL -will always be there for you for your LIFE friends???? I realized this past week- that their family is FOREVER a part of our lifes. I have never been more impressed with a mother, a couple and their children. So Marilyn if you read this- I thank you forever for being a blessing in my life!!!!!

CRAZINESS- I was in the stands and see a familiar face in the baseball crowd. I have to take doubt takes and realize my cute friend Melodee that owns It's about Time, in Murrieta CA is there. I taught at her store in August. It was weird to see her there- and then to play her So. Cal team. I had to go check their batting lineup. I saw her son's name on the list. So then I waited until the game was over- Zach pitched FOUR innings to her team and went to go talk to her. I was so happy to see her!!!! Can you believe our kids played against each other????  Just goes to show- she had her camera ready and we took a photo. Always a scrapbooker!!!! So Mel- send me the photo- you truly are a SWEETHEART!!!! She just remodeled her store- so I'm DYING to see it!

Such a long post- sorry- so much to share. I plan to blog EVERYDAY this week. Maybe twice a day- ha!!!!

Okay, Jen Erickson I want to THANK YOU for the over the top review you did about my CHA S releases. I plan to post it this week- it's for a magazine- and she send it and a layout she did with my new line. I wanted to CRY. I was touched by her enthusiasm and sweetneat. I do not read message boards or reviews EVER- so when I get "good" uplifting thoughts sent to me- well, it means so much to me.

Did you all get a chance to see my new Christmas line???? It's called 'tis the season and well, it does make me READY for Christmas.

12x12 TWELVE NEW PATTERNS-

Then I did 12 NEW DIE CUT Pages for the TC chipboard cover albums. I now added the RED from my line to the covers that I offer in my collection.

THEN NEW to the SHOW- I did 8x8 papers for 'tis the Season, Spooktacular, Travelogue and Journal it.

  

So finally, I can share my 8x8 collections. They are all NEW designs. I did not repeat any 12x12 Christmas or Halloween paper designs. So they are all original to the 8x8 size. Sorry can't cut down the 12x12- and you can get them with a TC PINK 8x8 Paper RACK. I PROMISE- PROMISE- I will share a photo. So check your LSS, ONLINE store and find my newest papers. If they don't have it- just ask them to order it!!!!! I was SHOCKED at how many stores were at CHA S and did not know I had went out on my own. So thankful that people are finding me- but if you like my designs and your store does not carry it- then I would love for you to help me by telling them about my collections.

So here is the hard part. I am blessed to be in hundreds of stores. I cannot possibly put all the stores on my blog site. To be fair, I will not list the stores on my blog. In truth, I don't have the time needed to do it and keep it updated and accurate. I've found if you google my lines, my names, you can find stores all over the world. I personally do not know all the stores. Cute story- my daughter Taylor is back in Oregon ( I miss you TAYLOR- love you love YOU!!!). She was at CHA S with me. She got home and realized she does not have any of my papers. (remember she is NOT a scrapbooker!!!!). She got home and felt INSPIRED to do some kits with my lines. So on Saturday she takes it upon herself to CALL stores all across Oregon to find who carries my lines. She was going to DRIVE and go buy my papers. So she calls and THREE stores told her that just on that day- they had numerous calls asking if they carried TC products. Stores told her they were going to order my line- because people kept asking for it!!!! She called me later that night to tell me that she found a store 30 minutes from her that carry my complete line. I think I need to send her a care package. Right???? I think Jamie and I have Taylor hooked.

I have sooo much more to share. I do need to go feed my starving boys. (Mckay went to Oakcrest Girls Camp today for a week) More a little later. If you are still reading this- wow!!!! and if you are....well, post ANYTHING and I'll send you a little CHA S love....I will pick a winner tomorrow

I'm going to the post office tomorrow AFTERNOON....

Teresa 

home from CHA

I'm home from CHA and now headed out the door for Steamboat Springs CO for Triple World Crown Series Baseball for Zach's 10 U team. I am so tired!!!!!

CHA was just another FANTASTIC show. I have much to share-

Windy City Scrapbooking Store & Class- the BEST!!!!!

Have to go- will post from CO- after a 5 hour car ride....

ALIVE

I am buried in WORK. I guess you could call me "overwhelmed" right now. It's crazy around my house. I have about 10 workers in my house today. We have painters- appliance people and carpenters. I have to pick up Taylor today from the airport. We fly to CHA S- Chicago TOMORROW bright and early. We are excited- I'm nervous- for the FIRST time- I feel NOT READY. Yes, my designs are ready- but I have not had the time to create all the wonderful stuff I wanted to. That is me being honest- so I feel I've let "myself" down. However, it's OKAY. I have been juggling a lot right now and I am only one person.

Tonight I have tickets for the family to go see American Idol Live. So excited- but hope I can concentrate and live in the MOMENT...not thinking of the gazillion things that need to be done before 5 am. Nope- I have not packed. I am so busy that I am barely on the computer. So I know I owe many emails.

Tomorrow night- teaching at Windy City!!!! Yeah...love teaching and so thankful for my sweet Taylor coming to CHA with me. She will be busy doing make n takes at the booth. If your going to CHA- you will be the first ones to GET and MAKE my NEW 9x9 albums... YES I have HUGE make n takes going on. Come by and create your OWN TC 9x9 Album...plus I came out with 12x12 sheets that create your very own CARD/ ENVELOPES- they are MAKE N TAKES too.

At the show I am debuting my new CHRISTMAS LINE called "tis the season" and you can see it on my website TODAY at www.teresacollinsdesigns.com .  I am so HAPPY with how it turned out!!! You should see the ADVENT calendar I made with the paper. I promise to post it...just crazy busy today.

Okay- the winner (picked RANDOMLY)- my kids pick a number and then I have to count and see who WON it.

I hate to do it-but it's worth it-I'm begging! Halloween is my favorite holiday and your Spooktacular is the absolute best I've seen. I have years of Halloween photos-(we decorate big time, but not spooky-I got a bubble machine last year and have the most adorable picture of a little "princess" pirouetting in the bubbles)I need to scrap, but I've been waiting for just the right papers and your are it!

Posted by: BethW | July 11, 2008 at 08:42 PM

So BethW email your address and congrats!!!!

HAPPY Tuesday!!!!

DRILL TEAM

I just found out that Gentry's drill team dance was posted on YOU TUBE. It's not the best video, but I thought you might want to see the girls. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fzUbBvuzGg&feature=related

Gentry is the girl on the FAR right at the beginning of the dance. Long dark hair- they all had pig tails. This is the hip hop dance that they took 1st place in. They will perform it LOTS during the year.

Guess what just came to my door???? My 12x12 spooktacular papers. I was working with press sheets- so now I have the "real" deal. Somebody will win the new collection- all you have to do is comment. Oh, orders for all my new collections begin next Friday and shipment for CHA S releases will start on Monday July 21st. Pretty Cool!!!!!

Here is ONE of my CHA S RELEASES- a line of TC 9x9 chipboard album covers. They come in FIVE cool new colors- pink, black, white, kraft and red. This project is using the pink- and hint hint INSPIRATIONS UNLIMITED- my workshop is a 9x9 album. I'm so excited for this event!!!! If interested in the event- you can find the link on my sidebar. We are filling up FAST...

Anyone want some SPOOKTACULAR paper????

BUSY DAY

I thought I would do a quick post before I get too busy. For some reason, Thursday's are always my busy- crazy days. We are having appliances delivered today, a birthday party at Boondocks (Zach's friend Caden), baseball practice for Tyler- yes, now my 9 year old is playing on a 9U Superleague team. Thankfully Gentry get's home tonight from drill camp. I have to get a box shipped to Chicago today- booth samples, and a trip to the post office to mail the winner of the recipe line her papers and a package to Wales. (hey- Chepstow girls a package for the girls who got the LOVE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT- is on it's way to Louise- ***very cool surprise for each of you!!!!!) Oh, plus another trip to Home Depot. Just another busy but wonderful day!

I was going through my emails and realize there are so many of you that have emailed and I never responded. Please email me again if you are waiting on something from me. I wish I could keep up with it, but I can't right now. I guess we all have our seasons of life...a time and a season and right now- I am in one busy season. Ha!

I am so excited for next week. I am teaching at Windy City Scrapbooking- LOVE this store on Wed. night, and then will be at CHA S debuting my new lines. I am beyond thrilled and TRUST me if you are the show- you will go CRAZY over my make n takes. They are HUGE...I mean, think MAJOR wow... We wanted to do something BIG and really do a must have project. I am so thankful for Taylor and Jamie H. They will be at the show helping with all the make n takes too. Oh, there is three make n takes stations to do.

Hey girls at Windy City- if your in my workshop, the list of what to bring is on the store website. Please check it out!!!!

Oh, time to get to the post office...

Have a GREAT Thursday!

CRAZY day

I thought I would do a quick post before I get too busy. For some reason, Thursday's are always my buzy- crazy days. We are having appliances delivered today, a birthday party at Boondocks (Zach's friend Caden), baseball practice for Tyler- yes, now my 9 year old is playing on a 9U Superleague team. Thankfully Gentry get's home tonight from drill camp. I have to get a box shipped to Chicago today- booth samples, and a trip to the post office to mail the winner of the recipe line her papers and a package to Wales. (hey- Chepstow girls a package for the girls who got the LOVE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT- is on it's way to Louise- ***very cool surprise for each of you!!!!!) Oh, plus another trip to Home Depot. Just another busy but wonderful day!

I was going through my emails and realize there are so many of you that have emailed and I never responded. Please email me again if you are waiting on something from me. I wish I could keep up with it, but I can't right now. I guess we all have our seasons of life...a time and a season and right now- I am in one busy season. Ha!

I am so excited for next week. I am teaching at Windy City Scrapbooking- LOVE this store on Wed. night, and then will be at CHA S debuting my new lines. I am beyond thrilled and TRUST me if you are the show- you will go CRAZY over my make n takes. They are HUGE...I mean, think MAJOR wow... We wanted to do something BIG and really do a must have project. I am so thankful for Taylor and Jamie H. They will be at the show helping with all the make n takes too. Oh, there is three make n takes stations to do.

Hey girls at Windy City- if your in my workshop, the list of what to bring is on the store website. Please check it out!!!!

Oh, time to get to the post office...

Have a GREAT Thursday!

Wednesday....

I am finally having a few moments to post. The winner of the Bind it All is:

Teresa
Hang in there with the remodel. It'll be all over soon and you'll be able to enjoy the new kitchen. I totally understand the stress you are in. I am in the same boat but with an entire home remodel. We've been out of the house for a year now and I've been saying we'll be back in the house since March. So delays do happen and it totally sucks. Don't let it bring you down...you are usually this happy person...keep your head up, girl! It is a challenge...but it'll be all over soon & it'll be all worth it. (This is what my BFF keeps reminding me!!)

I love your new lines...I've signed up for all your classes(at both locations...ok not all 5 out of 6) when you come out to CA to teach. Can't wait! Thanks for all your inspirations...and all the great products.
great big hugs!

Posted by: Betty | July 07, 2008 at 02:31 AM

Betty please email me your address and congrats!!!!

As for SPOOKTACULAR- yes, I have an entire 8x8 collection and DIE-CUTS- in addition to the 12x12 collection. Lots of "spookiness" going on!!!! If you haven't seen it, it's all on my website- www.teresacollinsdesigns.com . 

Every time I do a new collection, I get excited. I am so happy with all the collections that I'm debuting next week in Chicago. I thank the Lord every day for always inspiring me and giving me my talents. I know we all have our gifts and talents and we have to nurture and develop them. I am no exception. I just feel especially grateful for the blessings and talents that I have. I lack so many talents but instead of focusing on what I DON'T do well- like sing, act, cook, etc. I try to nurture the gifts that I do have.

Monday night- I had a very great MOM night. I went to Ogden (about an hour from where I live) to watch Gentry and the drill team perform. She is away this week at drill camp. I drove up with McKay and Ty to watch them perform their hip hop routine. There is 15 other high school drill teams up there too. They all did their routine. I was AMAZED and blown away at the team's routine. I could not believe how GOOD they were in only a month of dancing together. Gentry did a wonderful job and she was GLOWING. I can't think of a better word to describe it. After all teams danced, they choose one team to win the big 3 ft. trophy. The team selected to have performed the best was Murray High School. The girls were jumping up and down...so happy. I was just thankful to BE THERE to watch my daughter and her friends. I can say that the happiest things in my entire life are due to me being a mother. Nothing makes me happier than being a mom...it's so simple- but that is who I am.

Taylor is doing great in Oregon. We miss her like crazy. She is so cute and calls home every night. I have to admit, I still cry every day. I am so happy for her, but I miss having her around. Part of my crying is the house. Ha! However, I'm NOT focusing on the negative part. I am just trying to focus on all the positive things in my life.

Off to take McKay to piano lessons.

 

WINNERS-

The winner of the Bon Appetit collection of papers is:

I love it all, especially the Bon Appetit Bracket Recipe Cards. Here is a really fast and easy cookie recipe - that my kids LOVE.

CHOCOLATE MINT COOKIES
1 Devil's Food Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/2 C. oil
Approx. 24 Andes Mints

Mix first three ingredients together and drop in spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and lightly pat each cookie with the back of a spatula to flatten cookies. Immediately after removing from oven, place an Andes Mint on the top of each cookie. After it starts to melt, take a spoon and gently move the Andes Mint around on each cookie until it is completely smeared over the top of the cookie. Allow to cool completely before serving or eat IMMEDIATELY for a deliciously RICH warm cookie.

You can also use canned cream cheese frosting as a filling; putting two cookies together to form an "oreo".

Posted by: Molly P | July 02, 2008 at 09:56 AM

Molly- please email me.

The next winner of a DREAMKUTS machine is:

It is so stink'in cute! I love the bracket cards. I can think of soooo many ways to use this line! Love, love it.

Posted by: echo wein | July 01, 2008 at 03:34 PM

Echo, please email me.

Hope everyone has had a GREAT 4th of July. I had A LOT happen- LONG STORY with the kitchen remodel. I basically think I am near a break down. They came to install my cooktop and the granite was too big and the cook top will not fit. So now, I'm waiting for the granite installers to come back. I have sinks and faucets but my general contractors cannot get the faucets to run without spewing out water. The forgot to install 3 of my electrical outlets in my 14 foot island. That is just a FEW of the issues we are facing. I will warn everyone- please get a general contractor /subcontractors that YOU have contacted their prior references. I am learning the hard way that "anyone can talk the talk" on what they SAY they can and will do. My travertine floors are in, but there is a lot of issues and they are coming again on Monday to regrout the entire floor and fix other issues. I think we are looking at another month of work. I was so sad yesterday, that I cried all day on and off. I completely was off line for two days, because I was dealing with all the craziness of this, the 4th of July and trying to "scrapbook".

So TODAY...

check out the my website again www.teresacollinsdesigns.com 

My newest Halloween Collection has just been added. New for CHA Summer is SPOOKTACULAR.

I just got a few sheets of it overnighted to me. Here is a few projects-

Halloween last year, Taylor was a CAT. I used my spider web paper...and snippets of my tag paper. 12 spooktacular tags on ONE sheet of paper. Oh, how I miss this girl!!!! Isn't she the cutest CAT????

I love ROUND pages!!! All papers from my new line. Love this photo of Taylor and Ty. He is a little devil- love how he is looking at his sister.

This is a crazy photo. I about deleted it last year, because I didn't like it. Ha!!!! Just goes to show. Now I love that I have Zach dresssed up as a WITCH. This is my diamonds mixed with my tags paper....

MORE to share. Here is my black w/ dots paper that I added gems inside the dots. I love the orange/black dots...and how cute is the pumpkin circle???? The pumpkin and label are from the TAGS paper.... I wanted to create a line that is EASY to document our SPOOKY memories....

Okay, give the collection a peek!!! Then leave a comment here to WIN a BIND IT ALL. Yes, you read it right... SOMEONE will win a BIND IT ALL on MONDAY. I will pick ONE LUCKY person. Off to get a gazillion things done- thanks for all the wonderful positive comments about the Bon Appetit line. THANKS so much!!!!

JULY 2nd

Hey all-

It's JULY now- can you believe it? I have been stuck at home every day and so this summer has been weird. I just found out that my appliances and the last 1/2 of my countertops will be installed tomorrow. I will miss Zach at his 4th of July baseball tournament. He has two games tomorrow. I am about to cry. I feel SICK to miss his games- such big tournaments. They are about an hour from my home- and I need to be home to supervise all the work. Sorry to whine- it's just been a nightmare. I wish I could say I have all my CHA projects done- the trade show is in Chicago. I leave in 14 days to go to the show. I will be teaching at Windy City Scrapbooking- two weeks from today. So looking forward to this. Also, an update on Taylor. She moved to Oregon on Monday. She is working for her aunt at her dental office. Taylor graduated with her dental assisting certificate from high school and has done an internship her entire Senior year of high school. She was offered this amazing job and will live with her Uncle and Aunt, and take classes at college too. She is doing the dental program. She loves to work with people. My 17 year old baby moved out- and so she calls me EVERYDAY. It has been a huge blessing. I prayed about it, and KNEW she was making the right choice when the opportunity came. She will fly back home in two weeks to travel with me to the trade show.

OKAY- another layout to share from the collection. Also, if you are looking for my products, you can go to   www.papercraftsource.com and put in your zip code. The stores that  carry my product should be listed. If you are a store that carries my line make sure you are on this list. This is a store locator.

   

This layout is using the measurement paper. I wanted to do a page about my kitchen pre-remodel. Since my background is Interior Design- I like to scrapbook, my home. I know years from now, it will be a great reminder of my children of where they grew up. I am sure they will look back and see how dated the house and furnishing have become. After my mother passed away and I visited her home, I took hundreds of photos of the house I grew up in. Such great memories!!!! Happy Wednesday everyone- keep posting your comments for the prizes.

Teresa

Well, today is a good day. They installed 1/2 of my granite counter tops. That's good right??? Well, it's progress. AND- I am going to share one of my CHA Summer releases. It's called Bon Appetit. It's a cooking, food, kitchen, recipe line. You can see it at my website NOW at http://teresacollinsdesigns.com/c-44-bon-apptit-collection.aspx

Here is a couple visuals of the line- a few projects for the CHA S booth... So this a project of MY FAVORITE recipes.

It was so easy since all the labels, papers- everything was my newest collection. YOU can SEE all the paper designs by visiting my website. Okay, now I want to share ONE layout that I did with the collection. Each day this week- you can come back and see inspiration from this line. Here is a layout using ONLY my new papers.

Here is the journaling within the frame- This is our family tradition. When we all sit down together at night for dinner- we all go around the table and everyone takes turns telling about their day...June 2008. So a behinds the scene about this collection. I wanted to do a really beautiful line (green, black, tan and white) that would help document our cooking, eating, recipes, etc. memories. For one sheet of paper (retails .70 cents) you get SIX recipe cards. They are double sided and so you can really design your own recipe box, book- whatever. I am the FIRST to admit- I am not a cook!!! So why in the world would I design a cooking line? Simple, because I eat everyday- we all do. I still have to feed my kids and I want to capture photos of my family baking, eating, cooking, etc. This line will make it easy and hopefully inspire you to document such a important part of our EVERYDAY life. Start taking photos of your kitchen, your table, your favorite foods...because THEY are memories!!!!! Okay, some of you who KNOW me- are you shocked? I can't wait to show you more projects from this line. I'm going to start cooking lessons in the Fall. I have been re inspired to cook more. So here is the deal. This week I am giving away some great prizes. Here is how it works- I will pick TWO winners on Saturday July 5th. I will be giving away a DREAMKUTS machine. Remember, my demo using it on my website??? It's valued at $90.00. Wow...and it's the ULTIMATE machine. I also am mailing ONE lucky person the new BON APPETIT collection of papers and some other goodies too. You can win the new (no one has these paper!!!!) papers or the DREAMKUTS machine simply by posting what is your favorite paper from the newest collection. Yes, visit the website and then leave a comment. To make it fair, you can leave a comment every day that I post. I will pick the winner from all the comments. Post as much as you want. Hey, post a recipe...anything. I am so excited...and any comment you post this entire week will make you eligible to win the TWO prizes. I always get nervous showing my latest and greatest...so I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Also, good luck...and check back EVERY day because you will be able to get some ideas on how to use the line. Oh, and YES- the top project I posted will be a KIT...offered to you. If you like and want to purchase it- this will be the kit that all proceeds will be donated to the JENKINS family who are dealing with colon cancer...email my assistant (my daughter Gentry) at [email protected]. She will let everyone know the cost and all the information after she gets the list of everyone interested. I want to be able to help my friends financially. The kits will not ship until after CHA S in August. Have a fantastic day!!!!

FINALLY- the PHOTOS were loading. Now I can RELAX. Yes, post a comment here. Visit my website to see the collection. I would LOVE to have some simple recipes- stress the word- simple...ha! Thank you all for your patience. I had thousands of hits on my blog yesterday and I felt horrible that I could not get my post posted as promised.

TRYING this POST AGAIN

trying to post  again.

TRYING TO POST AGAIN

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